Fires - 1995
 

Remarks: A fire occurred due to a backdraft in the line heater stack and fire box caused by the vibration of an air mixer vent. The fire activated a temperature safety element (TSE) and the platform was shut-in. The fire was fueled by exhausting fuel supply gas in the system upon activation of the TSE. The fire burned itself out after the platform shut-in.
 

Remarks: The cause of the fire was a ruptured fuel injection line that sprayed fuel on the exhaust system of the diesel generator. The fire detection system operated as designed, and the fire was extinguished via a Halon discharge. There were no injuries or pollution as a result of this incident.
 

Remarks: A small fire occurred when a hammer union on the fuel gas line to the glycol reboiler developed a leak. The fire was immediately put out by platform personnel with a 30# dry chemical extinguisher. Insulation on the fire tube flange had been loosened to work on the reboiler's igniter. The union and the insulation on the fire tube flange were tightened to prevent this incident from reoccurring. There were no injuries and no damage.
 

Remarks: Contractors on the platform were in the process of removing a level bridle from the high-pressure separator by using an electric band saw, which was not explosion proof. As the crew cut through the bridle, condensate dropped into the electric motor, resulting in a flash fire. The construction crew used eight (8) 30# dry chemical units and a fire boss unit to extinguish the fire.
 

Remarks: The platform operator was returning the platform to production after a total shut-in. All incoming pipelines were opened to production apparently too fast causing a surge and carryover of oil that had accumulated in the low-pressure separator and carried over to the flare scrubber. Oil that carried over and out the vent boom was blown back onto the platform and came in contact with the compressor turbo charger. The turbo charger temperature was in excess of 900 degrees and a flash fire resulted. An additional 5 to 10 gallons of oil was discharged into the offshore waters as a result of the same carryover through the flare scrubber and out the vent boom.
 

Remarks: During a thunderstorm, lightning struck the platform and ignited the flare boom. Workers also noticed a fire on the top deck. The fires were extinguished using dry chemical extinguishers and water.
 

Remarks: The muffler on an engine caught fire possibly due to an internal build-up of oil in the engine. The fire lasted approximately 30 seconds and was extinguished using water and a 30# dry chemical extinguisher.
 

Remarks: A welder was cutting welds on a small building located on the top deck of the platform. Welding slag fell through the grating to the bottom deck igniting natural gas leaking from a relay in the safety system panel. The fire was immediately extinguished with a portable fire extinguisher. The fire watch remained in the area 30 minutes after cutting operations ceased. Hours later the operators were awakened by a popping sound followed by the platform shut-in alarm. The safety system panel was again on fire. They sounded the fire alarm, extinguished the fire, then repairs were made. The ignition source was unable to be determined.
 

Remarks: The level controller failed to open the dump valve on the heater treater. Oil was carried over the Peco filter, which also failed to operate. The liquid hydrocarbons were carried to the main burner and accumulated in the flame arrestor, which developed a leak and caught fire. The platform was shut-in. The fire lasted 5 minutes and was extinguished with dry chemical.
 

Remarks: A welder was removing old angle iron and piping near the chem-electric treater drain pan. The hoses for the oxygen-acetylene cutting torch accidentally opened a 1/2" ball valve on the chem- electric dump line, draining approximately 1 quart of water and oil to the drain pan. Slag from the torch cutting operation ignited the oil. The firewatch immediately extinguished the fire with a 30# dry chemical extinguisher. There was no damage.
 

Remarks: A welder was welding the living quarter's stairway. Slag from the welding operations entered the master panel through a partially opened door on the back of the panel. A faulty latch assembly was the cause of the door being partially opened. The hot slag from the welding operation melted the poly-flo tubing inside the master panel and ignited the gas released from the tubing.
 

Remarks: A heater was being brought on line. The expansion joint had oil in it that ignited when it came into contact with hot exhaust gases. The fire was put out and there was no damage.
 

Remarks: A contractor representative informed the company electrician that he observed an electrical wire arcing over the floatation cell. The electrician turned off the corresponding circuit breaker. In the act of confirming that the power was off, the wiring arced and caused a small flash fire lasting for a period of 2 to 3 seconds. No injuries or property damage occurred.
 

Remarks: The oil lubrication line for the turbo-charger came apart from the brazed flange on top of the turbo-charger. This in turn caused lube oil to be sprayed onto the turbo-charger. The temperature of the turbo-charger was sufficient to ignite the oil spray. The motorman and derrickman saw the top of the turbo-charger smoldering and used portable fire extinguishers to extinguish the fire.
 

Remarks: Flash gas was being continuously vented through thief hatches of oil tanks. Some of the gas collected under the solid top deck and migrated through the decking and ignited from a welder's cutting torch. Ignition caused a flash fire.
 

Remarks: A mechanic was in the process of changing the crane diesel fuel filters. The mechanic set a 2.5 gallon container of diesel fuel down near the crane engine. The mechanic proceeded to locate tools in the mechanic shop and upon returning, realized that the container had spilled over onto the No.3 compressor exhaust located on a lower deck. The fire was extinguished immediately with the fire water system.
 

Remarks: Saturated triethylene glycol boiled over and out of the glycol reboiler and seeped between the insulation blanket and the hot external shell of the glycol reboiler. Platform operators immediately used two 30# fire extinguishers to control the fire. Fire water was used to cool the external area of fire tube where the incident occurred.
 

Remarks: A small smoldering fire occurred in the diesel generator exhaust insulation and muffler. A worker smelled something burning as he walked past the diesel generator. Investigation revealed that the insulation blanket material for the diesel generator's muffler was on fire. Unburned diesel fuel had accumulated in the insulation blanket of the diesel generator exhaust and was ignited by the exhaust muffler.
 

Remarks: A welder was measuring pipe, which he was planning to cut later with a torch, when he heard a small explosion and turned to see the bottom of an acetylene bottle burning. He notified the platform production personnel of the situation and assisted in fighting the fire.
 

Remarks: A lightning strike caused a malfunction in the system 3 alarm panel and No. 1 generator resulting in a small fire, which was extinguished by the platform operator.
 

Remarks: A smoldering fire occurred between the generator control panel and the No.2 generator located on the drilling rig. Wires leading to the No.2 generator panel became overheated due to loose connections. Overheating of the wires melted the insulation and caused smoke to accumulate on the SCR and engine room. The fire alarm sounded and the fire team responded. The generator was shut down, eliminating the overheating source, and the fire team confirmed that there were no additional ignition sources.
 

Remarks: Smoke was observed coming out of the end of the diesel powered generator. The unit was not running at the time. Water was applied to the unit to cool off the diesel tank. The side covers on the unit were removed to allow access to the interior of the unit for better cooling and extinguishing of the fire. CO₂ and dry chemical extinguishers were utilized in putting the fire out. There was no damage to the rig, but the platform was shut in at the time of the fire.
 

Remarks: A fire occurred inside the exhaust chamber of the No.1 turbine generator. A worker observed the fire coming out of the exhaust chamber of the No.1 turbine generator when he entered the compressor-generator building to check the compressor temperature. He called for assistance and a 30# extinguisher. Personnel were alerted and the platform was shut in with the ESD system. The fire was fought for 50 minutes before it was extinguished. The fire was being fueled by a leaking rear bearing lube oil supply line.
 

Remarks: A small smoldering fire occurred on the generator exhaust system located on the platform. A service company was preparing to sandblast the platform, and canvas tarps had been hung to protect production equipment and generators from the sand. A storm front passed through the area, and sections of the canvas tarps were blown onto the generator exhaust system. The exhaust system and heat caused the tarps to ignite. The platform was shut in by the ESD system and the fire was extinguished.
 

Remarks: Personnel were attempting to light the reboiler vessel. Due to consistent west wind conditions, personnel could not light the rag that was to be used to ignite the burner. Personnel then proceeded to the east side of the platform and lit the rag; and, as they were walking past the production panel toward the reboiler, bleeding gas from the panel ignited. Personnel unlatched the panel door and a 30# dry chemical fire extinguisher was used to extinguish the fire.
 

Remarks: A welder had just completed a weld on an out of service deluge system pipe support when his welding rod holder touched the ³/₈" SS line, arc'd, and caused a flash fire. The fire went out on its own.
 

Remarks: A worker responded to an alarm on the compressor platform. Upon arrival, the worker heard a blowing sound. The gas detector had tripped. Upon investigation, he found gas blowing from the No. 6 cylinder on the TVS compressor. The gas ignited giving the worker first degree burns on his hands, ears, and face. The emergency shut-down device was tripped to shut down all operations. The fire alarm was activated. The main fire was extinguished within 5 minutes with dry chemical, CO₂, and water. Smaller fires were extinguished and the area secured within 45 minutes.